LAS VEGAS — The Las Vegas Raiders opened the 2026 season with a statement, defeating the Miami Dolphins 27-13 in Las Vegas to give rookie head coach Klint Kubiak his first victory. Starting quarterback Kirk Cousins threw his 299th, 300th and 301st career touchdown passes in the win, while also throwing his first and second interceptions of the season in a marvelous game-management performance that displayed a disturbing lack of arm strength.
Ashton Jeanty led the offense on the ground and through the air, rushing 23 times for 102 yards and leading the team in receiving with six catches for 67 yards and two touchdown receptions. One score came on a beautifully run option route that faked out the middle linebacker and angled into the end zone, the other on a play-action touch pass that he ran down to beat Jordyn Brooks. Mike Washington Jr. made his debut in a backup role with seven carries for 41 yards, including the longest run of the day at 18 yards, while Jack Bech caught the first touchdown pass of the year from Cousins and recently extended $45 million tight end Michael Mayer caught six passes for 32 yards and was a constant force as an inline blocker.
Free agent edge acquisition Kwity Paye had a silver-and-black party, becoming the first Raider to sack the quarterback and finishing with a team-leading two sacks. Maxx Crosby posted the highest pass rush win rate in the league at 33% and finished with 1.5 sacks while on a "play count," his body language showing he finally had the help around him he had been craving.
Second-round draft pick free safety Treydan Stukes recorded the first turnover of the season with an interception and narrowly missed a second that went just off his fingertips, showing rangy, ball-hawking ability with length and speed. Strong safety Jeremy Chinn forced the first fumble of the year with a clean peanut punch, pairing with Stukes in his traditional free safety role to focus on defending the box and locking up backs and tight ends.